Seaside Sparrow
Ammospiza maritima
The darkest sparrow found exclusively in wet saltmarshes with tall grass. Shares habitat with Saltmarsh and Nelson's Sparrows but Seaside is plainer and grayer overall. Plumage differs slightly among populations: Gulf Coast birds brighter, southern Florida birds show more distinct streaking below, Atlantic birds dullest. All populations have a contrasting white throat, yellow in front of eye, and a long bill. Perches conspicuously when singing, otherwise secretive, especially in winter. Rougher, buzzier song than Nelson's or Saltmarsh Sparrows: a few harsh introductory notes followed by a raspy sigh.
Identification
Adults have brownish upperparts with gray on the crown and nape, and a grayish-buff-colored breast with dark streaks; they have a dark face with gray cheeks, a white throat, and a short, pointed tail. Birds show a small yellow streak just above the eye. A typical seaside sparrow lifespan in 8 to 9 years of maximum. The oldest record of seaside sparrow was an individual male which was at least 10 years old when recaptured and re-released during the banding operations in South Carolina.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Ammospiza maritima
- Authority
- (Wilson, A, 1811)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Passerellidae
- Genus
- Ammospiza
Range and habitat
Their breeding habitat is salt marshes on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States from southern New Hampshire to southern Texas. The nest is an open cup usually built in the salt marsh on tidal reeds and spartina grasses. Females lay two to five eggs.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
One of the numerous subspecies of this bird, the dusky seaside sparrow (A. m. nigrescens), has recently become extinct, and the Cape Sable subspecies, A. m. mirabilis, is endangered. Occurring in a restricted range but of uncertain validity is Scott's seaside sparrow, (A. m. peninsulae). The small isolated population that near Corpus Christi, Texas, south to the Rio Grande and sennetti subspecies may also have risk to endangered, those were formerly considered a separate species.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
King-of-Saxony Bird-of-Paradise
Pteridophora alberti
A medium-sized bird of montane forest canopy. Male has a yellow belly, black upperparts and bib, and orange flight feathers. Note the 2 outlandishly long, antennalike feathers protruding from the side of the head. Female has gray-brown upperparts and whitish underparts with dark scaling. Male is unmistakable. Female is somewhat similar to female lophorinas and parotias, but is distinctly smaller and grayer with buffy under the base of the tail. Voice, a weird, insectlike, continuous rattle sounding rather like radio static. Sometimes given while waving its long head feathers about in its courtship display and bouncing up and down.
Black-headed Antthrush
Formicarius nigricapillus
Antthrushes are rotund creatures that walk along the forest floor with a bobbing gait. They have short tails that are usually cocked straight up. Black-headed is very dark overall, browner toward the rear with a blacker head. Also note the teardrop-shaped pale skin around the eye. Secretive and difficult to spot, although sometimes seen walking along forest trails. Far more often heard than seen. Listen for fast whistled song, a fairly long series of notes rising in pitch.
Spotted Rail
Pardirallus maculatus
Elusive, boldly patterned, fairly large rail of fresh marshes in tropical lowlands. Usually elusive, but sometimes walks around in the open at any time of day. No similar species if seen well. Note the brightly colored bill and legs and boldly spotted and barred black-and-white plumage.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.